Miami-Nebraska 2015: Last year’s scuffles add spice to rematch

Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins smiled when he was asked about last year’s game against Miami.

“That’s my favorite game I ever played in, for real,” he told reporters Monday as the Huskers prepared for Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes. “An exciting atmosphere. A lot of history in that game.”

And a lot of the stuff the biggest bodies on the field enjoy most.

Last year’s tilt was chippy, to say the least. In front of a Memorial Stadium record crowd of 91,585, the Huskers won 41-31. The teams combined for 16 penalties for 151 yards, and several dustups that likely have not been forgotten by players — and will add a little extra spice to Saturday’s rematch at Sun Life Stadium (3:30 p.m., ABC or ESPN2).

Late in the third quarter, Nebraska took a 31-21 lead after Duke Johnson’s fumble was returned for a touchdown. On the next drive, Huskers defensive tackle Vincent Valentine took out quarterback Brad Kaaya with a low hit, landing on the freshman’s left knee. Safety Nate Gerry intercepted Kaaya’s pass, but officials negated the pick with a roughing the passer call.

In a melee that followed, left tackle Ereck Flowers and defensive end Randy Gregory tangled on the ground, earning offsetting penalties. Several Hurricanes and Huskers got into side scraps. Nebraska coaches ran onto the field to break up the fight, while Miami coaches warned their players to stay on the sideline.

Tempers flared again midway through the fourth quarter. With Nebraska up 34-24, Kaaya threw an interception on fourth-and-4. On the return, Gregory knocked down Kaaya as both ran toward the play. Center Shane McDermott raced over and toppled Gregory. Right tackle Taylor Gadbois, who tangled with Gregory on several previous occasions, added a punch and a shove. The Hurricanes were assessed two personal fouls.

The crowd was on fire, sensing a win. The noise grew after Ameer Abdullah finished off the Canes with a 10-yard touchdown run, and Gregory strip-sacked Kaaya in the red zone on the next drive.

Coincidentally, Gregory, a second-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, and free-agent signee McDermott spent time together in preseason camp before McDermott was cut (last week, he signed with the Carolina Panthers). Flowers (New York Giants), Abdullah (Detroit Lions) and Johnson (Cleveland Browns) are also playing in the NFL. Gadbois was dismissed from the Hurricanes in July for repeatedly breaking team rules.

The Hurricanes (2-0) are certain to be emotional, hoping to defend their turf against a Huskers (1-1) team that got the better of them last year. Coach Al Golden, following a sloppy 44-20 win at FAU on Friday, said his team won’t worry about that game, much less last year’s Nebraska game.

“Can’t worry about the outside. Can’t worry about last week,” he said. “That’s what we need to do to be a consistent team.”

First-year Nebraska coach Mike Riley, who took over for the dismissed Bo Pelini, said he spoke with his team about keeping their emotions in check. The Huskers rank 113th in penalty yards per game (85.0). Nebraska collected 12 flags for 90 yards in a season-opening loss to 19th-ranked BYU. The Canes, who finished 108th last year, are tied for 38th after playing two lesser opponents.

“For instance, I’ve talked to the team briefly about not talking to the fans. Leave the fans out of it, don’t turn around … the emphasis of that is what we have to keep working on,” said Riley, who spent 12 years at Oregon State.

“I think we all enjoy crowds and the fanfare of college football, but really, it’s like I’ve told the players, with all that, everything that leads up into it, pretty soon it boils down to football, and playing better than [the opponent]. That’s what happens, all of a sudden, a football game breaks out.”

Collins, one of the players right in the thick of last year’s scuffles, said he’s excited to renew acquaintances with the Hurricanes’ offensive line.

Noteworthy: Miami-Nebraska will be shown on either ABC or ESPN2, depending on location. Mark Jones, Rod Gilmore and Quint Kessenich will call the game.

Author: Matt Porter

Matt Porter grew up in Gloucester, Mass., graduated from Emerson College and worked for the Boston Globe before joining the Post in 2009. He covers the University of Miami and college sports, and pitches in on coverage of South Florida sports teams including the Miami Heat and Miami Marlins.
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